I yet didn’t understand why they build aspherical versions. There is one video where a professional photographer demonstrated the difference between the Leica 35 mm and the rare 35 mm double aspherical. That was impressive. Flare control and how the field slowly turns unsharp. But this lens is 20 k. So is an aspherical version always the more versatile lens? Or do they also have downfalls….?
I think the only downside is the lenses get bigger. Pre ASPH are always smaller whether 50s or 35s. (And for portraits like me the pre give a softer less perfect look which I prefer). I recent got the 35/2 pre for size and look.
I sold my Summilux 50 (bit too big and fancy) and bought the new Voigtlander 50 1.5 v2 in nickel, its fantastic, well I think so, I would love to hear your opinion, you should try to get your hands on on.
Thanks you are the second person to mention this lens in only the last few comments. If this video gets enough love maybe I can try to get the 1.5 to test. Thanks for suggestion.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom You should :D it was my alternative for buying :D would pair nicely with my cv 35mm 1.4 SC ii and 50mm 1.5 SC ii :D At least I think so :)
Nice video! I'm with you that this lens is a nice Summilux alternative, but I would not sell my Summilux for this lens. But not because of the Voigtländer ist a bad Lens, just because I like my Summilux a lot. Can you give me some information on the M3 Modification needed to focus up to 0.7 Meter? I am planning to buy a nice late M3 SS someday.
Agreed and thanks. Leica hold their value better than any lens I know so even if I just keep it it can double as my Pension/ savings ha. The Lux is still best for film wide open and sometimes I need 1.4 so it’s a keeper for me.
M3 mod - I have a DS and SS. One arrived with 0.7m do I thought that was normal. The second was 1m and I was gutted so later asked a repair guy to adjust the RF to close focus of 0.7m (they can set to 1m or 0.7m.. well they can set any I guess but those are most common).
I guess it's perfect I just wasn't sure how else to describe it. I love the Lux for film as the film adds imperfections but for digital I tend to use less perfect lenses for personal work.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom The 50lux asph is hard to beat. It has character but it is pretty flawless I agree. I would say the crons are more clinical. For character I tend to go to older lenses, but I’m sure that new VC lens is excellent as well. Can’t go wrong with either lens.
@@MrPhotographerDude thanks yes I shoot mostly classic lenses these days in digital. I use sharp modern lenses mostly for film. This combo works well for me.
Great review,photos beautiful.Must say i would like to see you get your hands on the new Voigt 50mm 1.5 II Vintage Nokton.This is quite a small lens and comes in SC and MC which would be a great comparison.Thanx.
Ha that’s the third request for this lens so far! Thanks and I will see what I can do. If the video is popular then maybe they will send me a few more! 🙏🏻
Thank you! I’m thinking 2 and 1.2 ;) I’ve seen all the videos but was just too hard to choose 😊. Also looking for an alternative to the 24mm summilux - if you have any! Thanks again
Ha these were loaned lenses.. yes I do have a few cameras but I was lucky to get in when the prices were lower. Also I have no kids no house no tv no heating so I buy cameras or food ha :)
Great review on lens. All aspects covered. I have only seen good reviews of this lens. It is a winner for Voightlander. However, I would like to see a comparison of the 50 f1 2 compared to the newest version Voigtlander f1 5 Nockton M .In Cameraquest. There are 3 versions of the 50mm 1 5 nockton. the first a ltm, the second an M. and. a third labeled by Cameraquest ae 50mm f1.5 nockton 11 in M mount with an asph element. I would trust your review of the newest 50 f1.5 nockton. The one review I read was excellent Sharp, basically as fast as lux etc and not as huge as the 1 2 and cheaper than any other good modern 50 lens. I believe the Zeiss 50 F 1 5mm Sonnar has the classic front focus problem and I bought the original 50 f1 5 sonnar made in 1956. However, I would hope that the Voigtlander 50mm f1.5 nockton is competitive with the 50 f1 2 just because of size. Question. I believe the finder in the M3 to be the best finder for a 50 mm lens. You said you had your M3 converted to .7 meters close focus. Did you do this by having a contemporary new 72 magn ification rangefinder installed in M3 or, hopefully, did they adjust the close focus on the 91 magnification rangefinder on M3? Off topic have you tested the voigtlander 35mn vintage line 35mm f2 Ulton, its tiny and I am seriously considering buying it because I do not have the money for the leica 35mm lux fle? Thanks
Thanks John, sorry I’ve not replied yet, I had to tie myself to my desk for the weekend to get this video out as it was already overdue (recorded some weeks ago).
1.5 and Ultron. I will see if I can get more lenses to review. M3, I kept the 91. Removing that would be like taking you favourite lens and ripping the front element off! It’s the best bit of the M3. They can adjust the 91 to 0.7m. Great question though!
I just traded in a Nokton because it wasn’t really special. I picked up a summilux 50 1.4. Money IS a concern, but I look for special rendering. I love Zeiss, and have 8 ZE primes for Ef Mount (2 of which have Zeiss wobble)- just picked up a 25zm. As nice as it is, the focal length isn’t right for me today and I’ll go back to no-compromises of a 21 and 28. Zeiss or the 21 super elmar- I’m afraid of making another non-Leica mistake.
Long expected and nice video! Would have loved to see the sharpness and bokeh tests starting at 6:27 in side-to-side comparison to the Leica Summilux lens (seen to some part later at 16:48). I would have purchased the CV 50/1.2 lens if I didn't like the Canon 50/1.4 LTM so much! The Canon 50/1.2 LTM is supposedly too soft wide open and needs to stopped down quite a bit to achieve center sharpness. The Canon 50/1.4 LTM is the better choice here, and the 1/3rd stop slower doesn't play such big role either.
Thanks Martin, yes I like the 50/1.4 Canon too! yes sorry about vs Lux, I did a test actually but when I checked it looks like the photos had motion blur even though these were on a tripod (not all were), so I decided not to share as not real results. *Not accurate. (The Lux looks a lot sharper but if you zoom in on the Nokton it is sharp but just less clarity)(looks soft because of glow)
I got that tt artisan, I use Sony camera( sorry🤷🏻♂️), my best Fe lens is sony zeiss planar 50 mm 1.4, I put them side by side and I was/am astonished !. The Chinese 300 usd is 90’s % of what planar is . And this is because it “decay “ mostly on the botton right corner ( my copy), but if we measure them on the center.... it is 98%... tr has some color fringing that need correction, but I’m sure it is because of my sensor not because of the lens itself . I also notice the dimensionality... I saw it more present on the tt artisan.... I just can’t believe it ! . I use Techart so I get eye af, and I will definitely keep it.
By all regards it seems like a really solid lens. But the size and weight is a bit much for me, especially since I don’t often shoot scenes where I want or need f/1.4 or below. I’ll take a smaller 50mm as I find them to be less threatening when photographing strangers. Please update us on how you modified your M3. The .9m close focus on mine is limiting at times.
I’ve owned the Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 for almost 2 years. I use it on my M Leicas and with an M to L mount 7artisans adapter on my LUMIX S1R. The 7artisans adapter also allows closer focusing as it has extension capability. Happy to see your comparison to the Summilux as I was considering that lens at one point.
Thanks David, I have that adapter for my CL but sadly the focus aid doesn't work with it so i've never used it. See Summilux vid for more on that lens. Great lens.
Again a very intresting review ! Thanks alot, Matt. By the way, .... your question "Do I recommand the Voigtlander .... ?" The answer was already in your eyes ! Take Care ! Greetings, Roger.
Nice review. Does this shift at all like the sonnar? If voigtlander is letting you borrow lenses I’d love to see the new 75 1.5. If it looks anything like the old 75 lux I’d be tempted.
No I didn't see any shift. I sold the Sonnar as less 'reliable' vs the Lux for that reason. If I get a 75 in the future to test I will be sure to share it.
The only things is the Zeiss 50mm 1.5 ZM weighs 250grams / 8.8 oz. it really is significantly lighter than the 50mm 1.2 Voigtlander at 344 g / 12.1 oz I love BOTH lenses. Great video Matt!!! Thank you.
@@splootan I think the Voigtlander is all around more modern. BUT the 50mm 1.5 Zeiss delivers very similar soft beauty .....and its lighter and smaller. BOTH GREAT !
@@navagiopoint The asph Summilux is the sharpest lens currently on the market, I think? The old one is still plenty sharp, though, even on modern high res cameras. And I happen to prefer the rendering of the pre-asph ones. Lucky for me, they're also a lot cheaper :-)
Been waiting for more reviews on this lens for sure so thanks for doing it. Did you shoot any wide open with me the lens on black and white film or did you shoot all the film at f/2?
Sticking with my Nikkor 50mm's. I reflect on your older review of them against Leicas. I'm glad I stayed loyal to Nikon and saved a whole bunch of money in the process.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom A Leica is just like any other camera. It's a box housing a sensor and not much different to what the sensors of Nikon, Canon and Sony produce at a fraction of the price. Lens tech is so good these days, that even kit lenses are almost as good.
I had the Voigtländer, but sold it and bought the Summilux. It's for me the right choice. Next Voigtländer to go is my 75/1.8. But it's all about taste and needs.
The 50mm f1.5 Zeiss is a Sonnar, and has some "quirky" behaviours wide open. Not bad, but "different." The Zeiss 50mm f2 Planar is (IMO) every bit as good as the non-ASPH Summicrons, much less expensive, and definitely worth a test. And finally, the new TTArtisan 50mm f1.4 is $369!!! and has been well reviewed. I think I'm likely to buy this one despite the fact that I already have too many M-mount 50s. I have monster lenses for my SLR/DSLR cameras, but lean strongly towards smaller, lighter, slower ones for my rangefinders. Great review, here, by the way. Complete, but no longer than it has to be.
Thank you Scott! (I never lengthen any videos on purpose as it does equally more painful hours of editing ha). I owned the Planar and Sonnar so I can speak of these. The Planar was too sharp (I can't believe I say that) for the female models so I sold it quite early in my Leica days. The Sonnar was nice but 0.9m was a dealer breaker. I then got a Lux and that replaced the Sonnar and i've never really looked back. Yes the Sonnar has more character but I couldn't have a lens that may give me focus shift. I needed a good lens for client work. I've never tried any TTA lenses. I tend to use classic lenses or older brands but I know they are cheap.
Hi, Matt! I have been waiting for you to review this lens. Great work again. And I do not remember seeing you so happy and smiling so much about a lens...
Thanks ha, well I can’t blame coffee for smiles for this one! (I had had coffee before the Nikon F5 video though ha) Good lens and I’m glad it came across without me needing to speak haha.. I guess that’s pretty cool!
Thanks Jim! I think a student at one of my workshops years back let me try there Nokton 1.1. I don't remember being impressed enough to use it for long but I've grown up since then so maybe it is OK. I've never used any 7A lenses, to date.
The f1.1 Nokton is not even in the same ball park when it comes to lens character and sharpness, bokeh. its much ”better” the the 7artisans f1.1 though. The Nokton f1.1 close focus is 1 meter and it’s filter thread is 55mm (or even bigger? 57mm? Can’t seem to remember precisely). Pretty big anyhow and it covers a bit of the viewfinder. The bokeh is also quite busy and not any resemblance to the Nokton f1.2. As a cheap alternative to the Nokton f1.2 it’s still worth considering and it costs pretty much the same used as the 7artisans f1.1, but as I said; much “better”. Especially as a more all rounder 50mm. The only category the 7artisans f1.1 wins in is the close focus apartment (0.7m) and a little bit lighter (if I remember correctly) I do like the Sonnar lens design in general, but I didn’t fall for the f1.1 7artisans at all. Lots of other people did though
On the CL that is a 75mm FOV and even compensating for the crop effects on DOF its f1.2 is still some potent combo for portrait work and indoors in low light and night time street shooting. It is a rare combination of assets for picture taking.
Many tell themselves that the Voigtlander offering is par or better than Leica. The wish for it to be true comes from the lack of patience to pay the price for better quality. In itself no issue until you start to believe it. Just my opinion.
Thanks Eric, always great to have you here... and yes a cheaper lens doing a 90% job will tick most peoples box. (It just depends if you can see the extra 10% in the real world images). :)
I had a good copy of the 50 Summilux ASPH and also the CV 1.2. In terms of sharpness, the CV is not even in the same league, but I wouldn't call it better. Tbh, I find the Summilux quite boring and sort of 'one-trick pony'
@@tadferreira5625 thanks yes I use the Summilux on film as film adds some excitement. Digital is just that so I prefer classic lenses or the Voigtlander.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaComthanks for replying, really enjoying the content...yeah I think the APO will be my choice (at the moment) I'm picking up an M11 in the near future after my Fuji gear has gone, the APO will be a good replacement for the 33 1.4 to start me off
@@ehinam01 I just think it is a cheap, anti-consumer move to not include a lens hood with the lens. It doesn't matter how cheaply one can buy a third party hood.
Matt, I think that the Cannon 50mm f1 2 would be considerably softer than the Voightlander 50mm f1 2. The Canon 50 f1 4 is sharper than the Cannon 50 f1 2
Have you used both the 1.4 and the 1.2? I know it's not much of a difference. I have the 1.2 and it is hard to hit the focus all the way open. But what makes you say the 1.4 is sharper?
@@spencerkimura thanks it does seem widely regarded that the 1.2 is soft and examples i've seen shot on Sony do look softer vs other lenses but it's partly how you edit etc so if I ever get to test one I will share the results and will see what I can get out the 1.2. The 1.4 is good. I have it.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom thank you. With that being said... This review might have given me a new lens to get. I might have to start thinking about a change
For me the Voigtländer 50/1.2 is a perfect choice for a M camera. Yes, Summilux is always a super choice but for example get two great Voigtländer lenses and even save money.
I had a good copy of the 50 Summilux ASPH and also the CV 1.2. In terms of sharpness, the CV is not even in the same league, but I wouldn't call it better. Tbh, I find the Summilux quite boring and sort of 'one-trick pony'
A very good review and very sensible comments on chromatic aberration (I.e. no big deal) and very interesting to hear the Leica described as relatively clinical. Now we just need you to be given the new Voigtlander 50mm f1.5 Mk ii as I’m particularly excited to see what you make of that. It’s the one I’m hoping will be great as it’s much lighter than the f1.2
I'm really curious at how this performs f2-8. I want a single lens to use for landscape, travel, events and architecture. Does anything have experience with it?
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Maybe there’s a Flickr group on this lens?? The 55mm 1.2 rather than 50 is something unique. BTW, I have a Sigma Merrill DP3. On a tripod, in good light this thing is amazing. This camera DOES have dedicated Flickr group with samples. There are some jaw dropping portraits that really put Leica and even Hasselblad on notice-all for $400.
Hey ! Thanks for your Work and your Chanel ! Love it ! I've got a Leica Q(1) and now i just get a Leica SL (1) thanks to you ! I'm looking for a Lens for the SL with the same result as the Q : any advise ? :)
Thanks and yes. What about Leica 50 APO, Voigtlander 50 APO...? :) Voigtlander 50 and 35 APO reviews to come .. they are sending me the lenses to test. Stay tuned! :)
My take is they are extremely similar in every way. It’s just a 50mm focal length and compresses a bit more and is narrower of course than the 40 mm 1.2. I have both of them and just consider the 50 mm to create more intense Bokeh but I love the 40 mm 1.2 very much with creamy backgrounds of its own. The 40mm is also a bit lighter and a bit shorter.
@@michaelneumann1865 Great lens indeed. I somehow like this 40mm better than the 35mm summilux fle on my digital CL. Not as contrasty wide open, true, yet the images coming out of it are generally very pleasing to look at.
@@MrPhotographerDude I am not sorry :D I wouldn't be with the CV, but I would always wonder what would lux do :D Now I don't have too anymore :D I might even like focusing without a tab a bit more :D but let's see long term :D And you are right, you can't be sorry about leica lens :D even when I have a summicrom 35mm and cv 35mm 1.4 :D I can't sell crom :D
I own both... sorry, but if you can afford the Leica, and you care about quality photos, get the Leica. If you can't afford it, then the V. is a sound alternative.
Yes sorry I don’t own that lens otherwise I could have. That said the lenses are very different so probably not much to compare. (The Nokton wide open is as close as you may get to the Leica). From f2 the Notion is a sharp modern lens.
I had their 50mm f1.5 Nokton,...it was brilliant and I regret selling it. For weight and price, I could forgo a 1.2. Cheers, from Victoria, British Columbia
Amazing photos you shoot! One question, why upload in 720p? It looks like all the photos are out of focus on a big screen ;) RU-vid has terrible compression even at 1080p, 720p is from last century. Typically you need to upscale to 4K even when everything is shot in 1080p, to prevent 1080p from looking like 720p.
hi Matt which M 50mm lens do you recommend for beginners? I'm a little hesitant to decide between this lens with zeiss planar, nokton 50mm f1.5 asph II, APO-lanthar coming out soon or products from TTArtisans / 7Artisans? Thanks 🙏🏻
I’m hoping to test the Voigtlander 1.5 and APO in the next few months. This lens is great as is or if want cheaper vintage 50s can be great too. See my 10x 50s video for more 50s and some of my other 50mm vids.
Haha thanks. I'm a mixed bag.. the ex-auditor/ accountant in me enjoys making gear vids and testing but the creative in me enjoys the real aspects of photography. See my latest video for a taste of that (and the next video even more so.. you'll see a different side of me).
Hi Matt, last week (Feb 2022) I saw a review of the 40mm V 1.2 and I wanted to know how it relates to the V 50 mm 1.2 and your video was spot on, thanks for the effort. Watching your test shots I was wondering, at exactly 9:13 min , man that is a beautiful shot ! What a beautiful classic looking woman in B/W ( I am a huge fan of '40-'70 classic B/W model shots) Well done, greetings from a rainy Amsterdam
hi Matt! I dug down into comments to find info on modding leica to focus at 0.7m but cant see it anywhere.. Are there any drawbacks to going that route? would it affect how focus works with other lenses? I have a 35mm summicron, would it still function as it does? and finally, what does it cost and where can it be done? :D so many questions, hope its ok. speciate your channel so much!
Hi yes your repair guy can do it when they calibrate the rangefinder. All lenses then work as normal. If a lens goes up 0.7m it will if it goes to 1m it is still 1m for that lens.
Hi Matt! Is there any real "Summilux killer", i.e. a fast 50mm that gives a clinical look with smooth bokeh already wide open? I have the Zeiss Sonnar and it's nice, but quite glowy and with outlining on the bokeh wide open, this Voigtlander seems to be the same with the glow, but a least without the outlining, but neither is as you say clinical wide open.
Hi no for clinical wide open the Lux wins. I had the ZM Sonnar too. That it 2nd, Voigtlander 3rd wide open. F2 the Voigtlander gets much better than wide open.
FWIW, the only fast 50mm lens I've ever seen that "kills" the Summilux M ASPH in the way you mean is the last model 50mm Summilux R (E60). That is the "best" all-round 50 I've ever had; used to shoot it on film and digital (DMR and adapted to Canon). It's less clinical wide open than the M version, but you don't lose much contrast; bokeh wide open is super smooth too. They're in high demand now for video purposes, I think :) I haven't used a lot of the newer lenses, though (SL, etc..). So they may have that charm, too!
I'm very grateful for the amazing content on this channel :) but as a SLR shooter may I ask how you would compare this beautiful to the Nikon 50mm 1.2 ais? By the way I still looking forward to read your nikon (or any other SLR) vintage glass comparison VS your collection of Leica super glass :)
I really appreciate honest, informative reviews. Especially when they are made buy unbiased interviewers. Which you definitely are, so one well earned like. For you.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I saw your review of the camera. Yes I like a 35mm FF focal length on a APSC sensor. I loved the A6500 with a 35mm Summicron before I sold those off. I got the 23mm F/2 Leica Summicron-T lens with the CL. I'm really loving this lens and body combination so much I rarely take out the Leica Q anymore. I just dont find the Voitlander lenses that sharp wide open but I dont normally shoot portraits. I'm going to try the 50mm Summilux with the CL as well as the 90mm Elmarit for portraits.
Thanks Eric! If you are in the UK I will soon be able to offer you a discount code for this :) I didn't notice focus issues but everyone shoots differently. I set aperture then focus.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I was meaning terms of achieving focus at or around MFD. I find it hard enough with my CV40 1.4 wide open. The CV40/1.4 gives me that classic look and my ZM50/2 Planar tack sharp but modern wide open
Reflecting on this review 1yr later, I can confidently say that this was my best purchase thus far, for M mount lenses! It truly does it all from F 1.2-22,🙌🙌 love it’s rendering and color as well, no complaints other than it’s weight which is expected! 😂
